Freerider magazine this month features a great comparison between four different 4-strokes, the Yamaha YZ250, the KTM 250SX, the Honda CRF250R and the Kawasaki KX250F. As the 2-strokes look like being phased out by the manufacturers, this is a great chance to see how the four different bikes perform FMX.

The four different bikes were all ridden by five different guys in turn. Each rider brings different skills, strengths and experience to the ride. The riders were a Pro FMXer, two B-Grade MXers and two C-Grade MXers.

After a full day spent testing the bikes, the conclusion was that all the bikes could top the podium in both disciplines, MX and FMX. The general consensus was that the Yamaha YZ250F is a good, predictable bike – described by one of the C-Grade MXers as “still a race bike, but it’s a race bike for the people, not just the factory hero”

Steve Sommerfeld (also pictured elsewhere in the magazine getting some crazy air at Narrogin!), the Pro FMXer found that the reliability and predictability of the bike made it great for jumping and said that though power could be a little fluffy in the bottom end, it had a broad mid-range that “seems to keep revving out forever”. Steve recommended that both ends will need revalving and stiffer springs if you’re planning to use this bike for FMX.

It’s really interesting to read the different views expressed by the B-Grade and C-Grade MX guys who rode the bike. The B-Grade riders found that the predictability was beneficial in terms of reliability but also described it as a little more boring as a result. There’s no pleasing some people!

Ben Foster, one of the B-Grade MXers said that “For a clubman to a B-Grade rider, the YZ-F is an ideal package: they’ll be able to hop on and race it comfortably all day…..If you want to ride or race consistently, it’s brilliant.”

Simon Makker, one of the two C-Grade MXers to test the bike said that “The best aspect of the Yamaha is definitely its predictability” and found that he could put more confidence in the bike and get faster laps than on any of the other bikes he tested. Makker liked the suspension and found that it easily dealt with the flat landings and bigger jumps.

For the full comparison and some great pics of the jumps, check out the April/May issue of Freerider MX magazine.